The Sporting Body: Jack Johnson and Helen Wills to Odell Beckham and Brittney Griner - Part 3

This is the third part of a three part article on the evolution of masculinity, femininity, gender, and sexuality in sports.

Societal norms and behaviors are refracted through the sporting body, and athletics often act as a reflection of socially constructed representational politics. While sports can reproduce pre-existing gendered ideologies, external perceptions of the athletic body and its effect on gender specific self-consciousness also actively shapes discursive understandings of self-identity and transverse, or deepen, constructions of gendered athletic spheres. 

Sports act as a representative medium for the formation of individual manhood, and the valorization of the heroic ethos allows for the construction of a glorification of the masculine body. Throughout history, sporting discourse has explored the sexualized classification of sporting figures, and how the gendered body of male athletes negotiates within, or functions against, underlying social understandings and pre-conceived perceptions of masculinity and sexuality. By constructing separate athletic spheres, males have inherently marginalized the self-identity of women through their sexualized objectification and their dissociation from masculine-defined sporting glorification and social agency. 

Over time, individuals have gone from explicitly exploiting the sporting body in a systematic embrace of cultural manifestations of a gender specific self-identity to more implicitly policing any representations of a feminized sporting body that is not aligned with socially accepted heteronormative masculinity. While not beholden to a monolithic gendered classification, the culturally contrived and dictated formulation of the male sporting body has been used to codify masculinity and male dominance, while also being composed as a dichotomous construction to feminine sexualization and objectification.

In the contemporary sporting world, gender specific identity concerns have constructed a hetero-normative social order. During interviews at the NFL Combine, Atlanta Falcons assistant coach Marquand Manuel asked Ohio State cornerback prospect Eli Apple in an interview, “Do you like men?” The fundamental perverseness of the inquiry was the underlying connotation that it took a specific type of “manhood” to make it to the top in “manly sports.” The Falcons were attempting to ensure Apple’s compliance to a self-prescribed league dictum of the specific internal male testosterone needed to compete at the highest level. The question also implied that the basis of male sports was an attachment to a very specific type of sporting sphere, detached from any remnants of effeminacy or perceptions of physical or sexual weakness. It confirmed a sporting standard of thinking based upon the culturally constructed concept of patriarchal “hegemonic masculinity.” 

Before NBA player Jason Collins came out as gay in 2013, he was recognized as one of the toughest players in the league, but after his announcement, he had to prove that his sexuality did not make him soft. Travis Waldron said Jason Collins had "to affirm that there isn’t a relationship between his sexuality and other signs of masculinity” because the league assumed that homosexuality was antagonistic to physical success.

The image of a specific type of manhood is so well imbedded into the fabric of the sporting culture that Odell Beckham lost his self-control after opposing players on the Carolina Panthers reportedly hurled gay slurs at him. In an attempt to defend his aggressive black masculinity from the stigma of any feminized traits, Odell reinforced an embodiment of strength and toughness by acting recklessly on the field. Michael Irvin defended Beckham, saying, “Everybody goes after him with gay slurs. He's a different kind of dude. He has the hairdo out, he's not the big muscular kind of dude... I can’t promise you that [I would have handle it correctly.] That is why they give you leniency for crimes for passion.” Irving justified Beckham’s actions through the notion that he had to conspicuously protect his manhood when he felt like the victim of an assault on his identity. 

Carolina Panthers players taunted Odell Beckham before the game with a bat and possibly homophobic comments.

Beckham is a threat to conceptions of forceful black masculinity because he has dominated the league for two years (see: one-handed catch against the Cowboys), but he does not conform to masculine standards of athleticism off the field. Beckham is in videos all over the internet dancing with former LSU teammate Kavahra Holmes, he dyes his hair, and he had a moment when he was caught looking at teammate Landon Collins's butt. Rafi D’Angelo claimed in the magazine Slate, “We need more black men who aren’t afraid to live outside of the box of black masculinity built for us by society.” The Panthers players assumed that Beckham had to have a compromised sexuality because sports understanding of heterosexuality limits any expression beyond established norms. While Beckham's reckless actions during the game cannot be justified by what the Panthers players may have said to him before it, the bipolar masculine construct of not being able to "live outside the box" while still reproducing individual manhood was one of the reasons why Odell lashed out during the game.

Odell Beckham was suspended for a game after his misconduct against the Panthers.

Men have constructed a social attitude towards the femininity of female athletes in such a way as to reconstruct their own gendered self-understanding. Similar to how the NCAA created a construct of "student first, athlete second" to maintain their claims of amateurism, the sexualization of female athletes has asserted “woman first, athlete second,” and marginalized their place in the sports world relative to men. The dichotomous construct between males and females in athletics has been challenged by the dominance of women in sports who are perceived to be symbolic of masculinity. However, Kate Fagan mentioned, “Women's basketball is maligned for not being as athletic as the men's game, but as women become more athletic, these players are often labeled as unfeminine, and therefore unwatchable.”

Brittany Griner is constantly referred to as a “man” or a “gorilla” because it gives the public a way to justify how her athleticism in a masculine space displaces her femininity and womanhood. Unlike how American tennis player Helen Wills was constructed as maintaining her “girlish beauty” in tennis because she ostensibly accepted her different sporting sphere, women like Griner have carved out a space in a masculine realm. Sporting discourse has had to aggressively assert her basketball ability as a product of a divergent feminine defect in her nature to reinforce perceptions of hegemonic masculinity. 

Baylor University was happy to exploit Griner’s feats on the basketball court, but she could not discuss her homosexuality because the school wanted to maintain an image that did not transcend normative lines of sexuality. Waldron said that when Griner came out as gay, “it confirms the idea that a woman who succeeds in athletics does so because she’s breaking with expectations for women, both physically and sexually.” The reaction to Griner’s sexuality was muted because the public assumes female homosexuality in male sporting spheres, and that their success is a product of that masculinization. The connotation was that women could not conform to a gendered self-identity because of their sexuality, and that they could not maintain their athletic prowess and stay within the norm of femininity.

In 2013, hockey broadcaster Don Cherry said, "I don’t believe women should be in the male dressing room.... I don't feel women are equal. I feel they’re above us. I think they're on a pedestal and they should not be walking in when naked guys are walking in. And some guys take advantage of it.” Cherry showed the subconscious male need to concretely separate the masculine athletic sphere from any female involvement. He reinforced the public’s conception of a possible female obstruction to manhood, and argued for unequal access to the male sporting body between the genders, even though excluding female media members from male locker rooms would subvert their ability to carry out their job. Cherry represented the way in which men trivialized the female role in the sporting community to reinforce sports as a “men’s game,” and propagated protectionism over the locker room as an impenetrable masculinized domain of power for a gendered superiority. 

Don Cherry commenting on women in the NHL locker room, which just made Ron MacLean cringe.

Men are not always comfortable with women who exceed their sporting knowledge because it acts as an affront to their masculine identification within the athletic arena. For example, on a Fox Sports Radio morning show, Mike North said, "Jessica Mendoza is the worst baseball announcer who has ever announced the game of baseball. Now, if you want to call me a sexist, go ahead. But I'm an observer." While North should not be precluded from judging Mendoza's performance just as he critiqued Dennis Miller and Tony Kornheiser's jobs on Monday Night Football, he gave no actual evidence as to why Mendoza was so terrible at her job. North implied that Miller and Kornheiser were not good analysts because of the content of their message to the audience, but his dislike of Mendoza came off as a mere function of her gender without further explanation of his point.

All sports media members, but specifically women, are subjected to abuse from people on social media. Sarah Spain, a columnist for ESPN, reflected how she receives tweets every day like “Why don’t you take your top off and just make me lunch,” showing that women are not welcomed into masculine spaces and athletic spheres.

The online video campaign "More Than Mean" highlighted the harassment of women in the sports world on social media.

Through the prism of sports, external perceptions of the athletic body and its symbolic effect on a gender specific self-consciousness can be acutely examined. Sports act as a representative medium for the formation of masculinity, and to reproduce understandings of self-identity. Gender concretizations have constructed separate athletic spheres for males and females to avoid a pluralistic understanding of sexuality. The male sporting body has been used as a symbolic codification of masculinity, and male dominance is portrayed as a conspicuous foil to feminine sexualization and objectification.

2014 NFL Draft Podcast

The Locker Room Culture of Sports: The Fine Line Between Good Natued Fun and Debilitting Bullying

Hazing has been going on in sports since the beginning of time (a little hyperbole) and harmless initiation to sports team can be seen at various tiers of athletics, particularly at the professional level. Over the years, veteran players have had some very absurd, yet playful and kindhearted demands for the rookies on their team. While the players on the Baltimore Orioles made their rookies wear tutus and dresses, the New York Knicks had their first year players wear pink pajamaswith hearts and teddy bears. Meanwhile, the coaches of the Cleveland Cavaliers made their rookies walk around with strollers and baby dolls for an entire day.

The common thread between all of these amusing gestures was that they were very innocent attempts to have some fun with the new guys on the team. However, the recent bullying incident between fellow Miami Dolphin offensive linemen Richie Incognito and teammate Jonathan Martin has added some real questions to the nature of the hazing that goes on in sports, along with the locker room environment that fosters this type of behavior. While hazing in sports is typically good-natured, the line between a harmless prank and bullying has been blurred following this prominent professional football episode. The appalling harassment that transpired between Incognito and Martin not only demonstrates the extent to which hazing is taken, but it is also elucidates the fact that sports’ locker rooms are much different than a normal working or school environment. 

It is a sad reality that the vicious and merciless aggravation of Jonathan Martin by Richie Incognito could actually occur in a sports setting, where everybody is on one team fighting for the same goal: to win games. The details of the harassment are not an exaggeration or an overreaction by those in the media, or by Martin himself. Among other things, Incognito reportedly extorted at least 15,000 dollars from Martin, left some vulgar and racially charged voice mails and texts on his phone, told Martin he would sexually abuse his sister, and threatened to kill Martin and find the other members of his family and harm them. The locker room culture of professional football, and sports in general, is now under a microscope as a result of the outlandish hazing in the Dolphins locker room. 

The majority of the Miami players noted very conspicuous differences between themselves and Martin. The offensive lineman had come from a very educated family – both of his parents went to Harvard – and he likewise attended a very prestigious academic university, Stanford, after turning down a chance to play at Harvard. A multitude of players on the Dolphins associated Martin’s intelligence, his love of poetry, and his quiet demeanor as a lack of toughness. In fact, there are reports circulating that the Dolphin coaches told Incognito to toughen Martin up because of this perceived weakness. In a locker room atmosphere, Martin’s intelligence ostracized him from the rest of his team in that his play on the field was viewed as “soft.” Richie Incognito, on the other hand, was seen as a tough and vicious player, a guy who had been suspended in college at Nebraska, been arrested for assault, later reinstated to the team, and then suspended again after a fight in a bar. Nonetheless, in the Dolphins locker room, Incognito was seen as the guy everybody wanted to play with, as he was the fierce and vicious competitor, the player who would run through a wall for his teammates. 

This explains why in the aftermath of the allegations of bullying in Miami’s locker room, the players on the Dolphins supported Incognito rather than Martin, despite the verbal epitaphs that were thrown Martin’s way. Offensive tackle Tyson Clabo said, "What's perceived is that Richie is this psychopath racist, and the reality is Richie as a pretty good teammate. I don't know why [Martin is] doing this. And the only person who knows why is Jonathan Martin." Defesnive tackle Randy Starks added, "We're trying to clear Richie's name. He's getting a bad rap." In fact, Martin waited a long time to file a grievance against Incognito because he feared severe repercussions from the other players on the Dolphins.

Many players also supported Incognito because they thought Martin broke an unwritten sports code that “what happens in the locker room, stays in the locker room.” Although Incognito bullied Martin, the fact Martin “squealed” on a teammate was seen as worse than the hazing. Antrel Rolle of the New York Giants said about Martin, “At this level, you’re a man… And take awareness of that, man, you’re a grown-a.. man. You need to stand up for yourself.” Rolle’s comments prove that a professional sport locker room is often defined by toughness and aggressiveness, and despite Martin’s emotional distress, the fact that he needed help to deal with Incognito’s bullying was viewed as a man being vulnerable and weak.

The really intriguing part about the Incognito and Martin bullying incident is that this is not an isolated situation that escalated out of hand, rather, hazing has been happening in college and high school sports for decades. This past fall, the entire Cornell lacrosse team was suspended for hazing as the freshmen on the roster were forced to participate in an alcohol-chugging competition.

Good-natured fun will likely not escalate into the type of abuse that occurred between Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin. Many pro athletes share the sentiment that hazing can unite a team if it includes humor without malicious intent. However, the locker room culture of sports is not an inviting atmosphere to those who appear vulnerable, and it just takes one joke that goes too far to create a situation that can get ugly. Sports’ locker rooms can certainly be a place for bullying, which is why coaches and executives in the front office need to be sensitive and aware of even seemingly innocent hazing.

Top 10 Most Intriguing NFL Games

The release of the NFL schedule has become its own holiday, as the gaiety surrounding the unfolding of the pro football slate leaves fans in presentiment over the season to come. There are a few things about this year's schedule that are very conspicuous, including the multitude of players returning to their old stomping grounds, and the prodigious number of impressive prime time matchups. While the NFL is very unpredictable, it appears as if the schedule sets up very well for the Chargers, Cowboys, and Steelers. Meanwhile, the Saints, Packers, and 49ers all figure to have a much more rigorous regular season slate. Here are 10 NFL regular season games that should be amongst the most fascinating of the year:

Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos in Week 1:

The anticipation for the first game of the NFL season is a unique phenomenon. After nearly 7 months without an NFL game (not counting the preseason as an official contest), the opening kickoff is a sight that all football fans so desperately welcome. However, the opening night of the NFL will have a little different feel this season. First, due to a scheduling conflict with the Baltimore Orioles and Major League Baseball, the Ravens will not open up the 2013-2014 season at M&T Bank Stadium. The defending Super Bowl Champions have hosted the NFL kickoff game every year since 2004, but due to traffic and parking issues that would have been created if the Orioles and Ravens both had home games, the Ravens will head to Denver in week 1. The game will also feel a little abnormal because of how different the Baltimore Ravens will look on both sides of the ball. The Ravens were depleted in the offseason, as the team lost center Matt Birk (retirement), wide receiver Anquan Boldin (traded to 49ers), middle linebacker and team leader Ray Lewis (retirement), linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (signed by the Dolphins), outside linebacker Paul Kruger (signed by the Browns), cornerback Cary Williams (signed by the Eagles), safety Ed Reed (signed by the Texans), and safety Bernard Pollard (cut and later singed by the Titans). However, Baltimore did add pass rusher Elvis Dumervil, who will open up his 2013 campaign against his former team, along with safety Michael Huff, who will have his work cut out for him against the great Peyton Manning.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets in Week 1:

Oh how serendipitous this week 1 game has turned out to be. No offense to either the Bucs or the Jets, but typically a matchup between these two out of conference teams doesn't conjure up to much excitement or emotion. However, the Revis saga in New York has finally come to a conclusion, as the Jets traded the all-pro corner to who else but their week 1 opponent, Tampa Bay, for the 13th pick in this year's draft and a 2014 conditional pick. Revis, who signed a 6-year, 96 million dollar deal with the Bucs, will try to revamp a Tampa Bay secondary that ranked dead last in passing yards allowed per game in 2012. Along with newly acquired safety Dashon Goldson, who signed a 5-year, 41.25 million dollar deal in the offseason, the Bucs are hoping to fill up gaps that were wide open for opposing quarterbacks last season. However, for Revis, his return to New York will be more than just about improving his new team's secondary; it will be about showing the Jets his dissatisfaction with how he perceived he was treated in the form of a shutdown defensive performance. Revis was very frustrated with New York's handling of his trade rumors, and their unwillingness to comply with some of his demands concerning his injury. Thus, when he visits MetLife Stadium, Revis will be looking for personal revenge, which should provide a thrilling contest between two teams that may not even be in playoff contention come January.

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins in Week 1:

The Eagles-Redskins week 1 divisional matchup on Monday Night Football has two main headlines that will both prove to be very compelling. First, football fans around the country are fascinated to see what Chip Kelly has in store with his innovative and inventive offensive schemes. The former Oregon head coach likes to run his hurry-up offense, which creates havoc for defenses that have difficulty containing the speed and pace of their opponents. The Eagles certainty have very dangerous weapons, which fit quite nicely into Kelly's offense, as he will use the quickness of LaSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin to spread out defenses and exploit any holes deep in the secondary. Kelly's up-tempo style has never been seen before in the NFL, so coaches around the league will be watching to see how his offense will fare against a defense that ranked 5th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game last season. The other major storyline is obviously Robert Griffin III, and whether he will be able to return for the opening week of the season a little more than 8 months after tearing his ACL in the team's playoff loss to the Seahawks. If the gifted QB is able to play in week 1, all eyes will be on his mobility. Although RGIII can certainty be a very proficit pocket passer, his athleticism gives him an added dimension that is so difficult to account for defensively. If Griffin lacks the quickness that he possessed before the surgery, it could attenuate his unique ability to allude defenders and make plays with his feet.

Denver Broncos at New York Giants in Week 2:

Any time that two brothers rise up to play at the highest level of professional sports, it creates a unique interest amongst fans who are struck by the fortune of theses siblings. Whether it is the Lopez twins of the NBA or the Upton brothers of the MLB, relatives reaching the apex of sports is a very attractive commodity. However, when two brothers have combined to win 3 of the past 7 Super Bowls and are future hall of famers, it reaches a whole new level of fascination. Although Eli and Peyton have admitted that they are uncomfortable playing against each other, the Manning battle will be one of the most watched NFL games all season long. In their two previous meetings, Peyton has come out the victor in each occasion. In 2006, Peyton and his Colts knocked off Eli and the Giants 26-21 and in 2010, Peyton topped Eli once again in a 38-14 blowout. From now until their week 2 battle, Peyton and Eli will both be fielding a lot of questions about facing off against one another. However, while it is such a cliche, the game will come down to Peyton and the Broncos offense against the Giants defense and Eli and the Giants offense against the Broncos defense. Nonetheless, a Manning duel is good for the NFL and for its fans; just maybe not the best thing for the Manning family.

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks in Week 2:

Before Jim Harbaugh came to San Francisco and before the Seahawks were blessed to have Russell Wilson fall in their laps, the NFC West was the laughing-stock of the NFL. From 2004 to 2011, the NFC West never had more than one team with a record better than .500 and in 2010 the Seahawks became the first team to ever win a divison despite having a sub .500 record. However, coming into the 2013 NFL season, by many accounts, the two best teams in the NFL reside in the NFC West. Not only do the 49ers and Seahawks have rock solid defenses to go along with their huge offensive lines and fearless running backs, but they also have dynamic duel threat quarterbacks in Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson that can single-handedly propel their team to a victory. As if having top 5 defenses in 2012 wasn't good enough, both teams drastically improved in the offseason on the other side of the ball. The Seahawks made a very daring move by acquiring Percy Harvin from the Vikings and then signing him to a new 6-year, 67 million dollar contract. Although Harvin's toughness and willingness to persevere through difficult stretches has been questioned, there is no doubt that the offensive speedster is a very unique and talented wide out when on the field. San Francisco also made a significant upgrade with the acquisition of Anquan Boldin, who was arguably the biggest reason behind the Ravens Super Bowl run last season. Boldin's matchup with Seattle corners Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner could be the determining factor in the team's first divisional matchup in Seattle.

Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3:

Eagles fans are notorious for their nature to become disgruntled with not only the opposing team, but with their own team. The booing and petulance of the Philadelphia fan base is sometimes seen as vile and iniquitous, and former head coach Andy Reid was at the end of many of those taunts, specifically towards the end of his tenure with the Birds when the team failed to make the playoffs two straight years. When Andy Reid returns to Lincoln Financial Field, this time as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, the reaction from the Eagles crowd should be very interesting. There are some supporters of Reid who have very fond memories of all the Eagles accomplished with him at the helm. In 14 seasons with the team, Reid led the Eagles to the playoffs 9 times (2000-2004, 2006, 2008-2010). Philly also reached the NFC Championship game 5-times including four in a row from 2001 to 2004. However, there are some fans who refuse to forgive Reid for his numerous errors in terms of clock management in late game situations, and that are still very bitter that the Eagles never won a championship despite all of the great teams that Reid had at his disposal. Chip Kelly's arrival in Philadelphia, along with the addition of Alex Smith in Kansas City, has given both clubs a reason to look forward to a positive season, but for one game, there will be a lot of looking back.

Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts in Week 7:

For 14 incredible years, Peyton Manning was the Colts and the Colts were Peyton Manning. While Indy obviously had other legendary superstars like Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Dwight Freeney, Manning meant more to the Colts than any other quarterback to a team in NFL history. Just look at 2011 when the Colts, without Manning due to his neck surgery, went 2-14, the team's fewest wins since they went 1-15 in 1991. The city of Indianapolis was so devoted to Manning that ticket sales were originally down for the beginning of last season due to people's resentment that the Colts let Manning go. The former number 1 pick was held in such high reverence from the Colt faithful that it was difficult for many to move on. While Andrew Luck more than proved last season that he is worthy of all the praise he has received, there will always be a special place in Indy for Peyton. Although it will be very difficult for Manning to play against his former club, the affection from the fans for all Manning accomplished with the team will be a spectacle to see. There have only been a few times in the history of sports that a superstar of the same ilk as Manning has returned to the city he once patrolled in another uniform. Thus, the matchup between the Broncos and Colts will not only be a high quality football game between two playoff teams from last season, but it will also be a matchup with unique emotion.

New England Patriots at Houston Texans in Week 13:

There is really no way around this statement: the Patriots absolutely owned the Houston Texans last season. In their regular season matchup in Foxborough, the Patriots clubbered the Texans 42-14. When the same two teams met in the Divisonal Round of the AFC Playoffs, the Patriots dominated once again at Gillette Stadium, this time coming out on top 41-28 in a game that wasn't even as close as the score indicates. In both contests, Tom Brady picked apart the Texans defense, which instead of mixing up coverages, continued to rely on man-to-man defensive schemes. Despite the fact that Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning are all-pro secondary players, it is a very perilous plan to play one coverage against a quarterback of the caliber of Brady. By not giving him different reads, Brady was able to sit in the pocket and become comfortable with the same defensive look over and over. Futhermore, the Pats limited the pressure of J.J. Watt on the quaterback, which gave Brady added time in the pocket that most QB's don't get against Watt and the Texans. This largely explains why Brady was able to throw for 296 yards and 4 touchdowns in the first game and 344 yards and 3 touchdowns in the second encounter. The Texans will greatly benefit from playing the Patriots in the friendly confines of Reliant Stadium. However, if J.J. Watt is unable to disrupt Brady's rhythm, it could be another long day for the Texans against New England.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens in Week 13:

Any time the Steelers and Ravens square off, you can expect the smash-mouth, physical style that these two teams always bring to the field. Over the past 10 years, no rivalry in the NFL has been more meaningful than the clashes between Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Since the formation of the AFC North in 2002, the Steelers or the Ravens have won the division 9 of the 11 times. As previously mentioned in this article, the Ravens are going to look like a much different team this season. However, the Steelers have also made some significant changes after finishing 8-8 in 2012, their worst record since a 6-10 campaign in 2003. Without some of the usual Pittsburgh suspects like running back Rashard Mendenhall, wide receiver Mike Wallace, linebacker James Harrison, and cornerback Kennan Lewis, the Steelers are going to have a fresh face in 2013. The relationship between Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley, which at times was a very strenuous and arduous partnership, will have to improve in order for the Steel Curtain to find success in 2013. In their matchup with the Ravens in the finale of the Thanksgiving Day games, the Steelers will have to prove that they can run the ball on a Baltimore defense susceptible to the ground game in order to open up the down field attack for Big Ben.

Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers in Week 14:

While there are a multitude of interesting matchups on this year's schedule due to the storylines of players returning to former teams or brothers squaring off once again, the Falcons-Packers game is so compelling just because of the high quality that both teams play at. Atlanta and Green Bay's championship aspirations were both cut short by the San Francisco 49ers last season and each team will be Super Bowl or bust once again in 2013. This late-season contest, which could possibly decide home-field advantage for the NFC in the playoffs, has the very real possibility of being an offensive slugfest. With Julio Jones quickly becoming one of the best wide outs in the NFL, the Falcons now have the most explosive wide receiver tandem in the league with Roddy White and Jones. Futhermore, with the return of Tony Gonzalez, despite his constant suggestions that he was going to retire, the Falcons could certainty pick apart a Green Bay defense that lacks a true shutdown corner. Much like the progression of Jones, the emergence of Randall Cobb has added a totally new dynamic to an already loaded Packers offense. Cobb's quickness and ability to play in the slot provides a perfect mix for the smooth route running ability of Jordy Nelson and the intermediate game of Jermichael Finley. Additionally, Atlanta is a nice matchup for a Packers offensive line that greatly struggles with the pass rush, as the Falcons registered the 2nd fewest sacks in the NFC in 2012. The Falcons-Packers week 14 contest could be the most enthralling and back-and-fourth game all season long.

The Los Angeles Kings Championship Proves That A Hot Team Is The Most Dangerous Team In The Postseason

Let me say one thing before I begin, I unequivocally hate the BCS and I am hoping that the proposed four team college football playoff will go into affect by the 2014 season.

I hate how the champion of each of the power six conferences (ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC) receives an automatic bid to one of the BCS bowl games. Just look at 2011 when the Big East Champion Connecticut, who had a 8-5 overall record, got to play in the Fiesta Bowl, while Boise St., who had a 12-1 record during the season and a win over ACC Champion Virginia Tech, had to play in the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas because the WAC didn't have an automatic bid. I don't think anybody would argue that Connecticut was anywhere near as good of a team as Boise St. was that season.

I dislike that the different bowl committees determine which team will play in their bowl as the at-large selection because they often chose the team that will guarantee the most revenue and fan support, rather than the team that had the best season. Just look at last year when Virginia Tech, who didn't beat one team ranked in the top 25 at the end of the season and lost in the ACC title game by 28 points to Clemson, was selected over Kansas St., whose only two losses were to the highly ranked Oklahoma schools (Oklahoma and Oklahoma St.), as well as Boise St., who had a 11-1 record and beat the SEC East Champion Georgia Bulldogs, for the Sugar Bowl. Sugar Bowl CEO Paul Hoolahan referenced the fact that Virginia Tech's fan support was "extremely important" in their inclusion in the game, showing the extreme flaws in the BCS, as the Hokies were picked largely because their fan base travels well and the game would sell more tickets than if Kansas St. or Boise St. were playing.

With all that being said, unlike most other sport, almost every season the best team in college football walks away National Champion because the BCS National Championship game slates the number 1 ranked team vs the number 2 ranked team. Of course, some years there is debate over the teams in the title game, but often times the top two teams meet for all the marbles.

However, when you look at some of the other sports, the team that gets hot during the playoffs often wounds up champion rather than the best team during the length of the season.

We all love the upsets that come with March Madness, but the tournament winner is not always the best team, as it is often the team that gets hot coming into the big dance.

For instance, just two years ago, the Connecticut Huskies finished the regular season outside the top 20 and had a 9-9 mark in the Big East, which was only good enough for 9th place in the conference. In fact, the Huskies had a record of 0-7 against the top 5 teams from the Big East that year during the regular season (0-1 vs Pittsburgh, 0-2 vs Notre Dame, 0-1 vs Syracuse, 0-2 vs Louisville, and 0-1 vs St. John's).

However, the Huskies went on an incredible run en route to their Big East tournament title, as they became the first ever team in Big East history to win 5 games in 5 nights. On the back of their conference tournament championship, where they beat four straight highly ranked teams, the Huskies came into the NCAA tournament flying high with a ton of momentum. They used that momentum to mount a run through the tourney, where Kemba Walker led the Huskies to the program's 3rd ever National Championship. It is pretty obvious to see that the Huskies were the hottest team in college basketball coming into the big dance, and they rode their wining streak all the way to a National Championship.

A similar phenomenon has happened the past two years in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants Super Bowl runs. Both the Packers and the Giants were forced to fight for a playoff spot through the last week of the season, as they each had to win their final two games just to make the postseason.

Two years ago, the Packers were entering week 16 with a 8-6 record and had been thoroughly struggling, as they had dropped 3 of their previous 4 games. Coming into their final two games, only 1 of the Packers 8 wins had come against a team with a winning record at the time of the game.

Despite their struggles against quality opponents through the first 14 weeks, the Packers found a new gear in their final two outings of the regular season. In week 16, the Packers destroyed the playoff hopeful New York Giants, who had been a game ahead of the Packers in the NFC Wild Card standings entering the game, 45-17. The following week, in a must win game to hold off the Giants and Buccaneers against the NFC North division winning Chicago Bears, the Packers won in an ugly battle, 10-3.

The Pack used their late season momentum with wins over two very good teams to make a run through the postseason en route to their 4th Super Bowl in franchise history. The Packers had been in playoff mode since week 16 and were ready to go for the postseason, while the Eagles, for example had been resting their starters the previous week and looked rusty in their Wild Card loss to the Packers. The Pack also used the confidence from their win over the Bears to once again knock off their arch rivals in the NFC Championship game.

Last year's New York Giants are another example of a team that got hot right before the postseason and used their strong play entering the playoffs to propel themselves to a title.

Following a week 15 loss at home to the Washington Redskins, who had just 4 wins at the time, the Giants were sitting at 7-7 having dropped 5 of their previous 6 games. The Giants were really struggling defensively, especially in the secondary, as Drew Bress, Aaron Rodgers, and Tony Romo each threw for more than 320 yards against them in three consecutive losses.

However, the Giants turned their season around with two do or die wins at the end of the year. They topped their crosstown rival New York Jets in a huge game for both teams playoff chances and then won a winner take all NFC East divisional game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The wins sparked the Giants playoff run to the Super Bowl, as they came alive following their successful end to the regular season. Not only was the Giants confidence soaring, but they also were much sharper than other teams, like the Green Bay Packers, who had been resting their starters for the last week of the season.

This same pattern of not necessarily the best team winning the title, but rather the team that gets on a winning streak and is the hot team in the postseason, also showed itself during the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, as the Kings got on a roll and never looked back.

Everybody knows that in postseason hockey a hot goaltender can lead his team to a Stanley Cup title and that is exactly what happened with the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick had the most unbelievable stretch of 20 games of his life and his incredible play between the pipes were the main reason that the Kings became the first ever 8 seed in either conference to ever win the Stanley Cup. In fact, the Kings were just the second ever 8 seed to even reach the Stanley Cup finals, as the 2005-2006 Edmonton Oilers reached the Cup finals as an 8 seed, but ultimately fell in 7 games to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Quick had one of the greatest postseason stretches for a netminder in NHL history and his hot play gave the entire Kings team confidence that they could pull off a run through the postseason.

When the Kings joined the 1991 Minnesota Wild, the 2000 San Jose Sharks, the 2006 Edmonton Oilers, the 2009 Anaheim Ducks, and the 2010 Montreal Canadiens as just the 6th team to knock off the Presidents' Trophy winner in the first round, Jonathan Quick was the difference maker in the series. He held the Vancouver Canucks to just 5 goals in the Kings 4 victories and had a shutout in game 3 to put the Kings up 3-0 in the series.

In the Western Conference semifinals, the 2nd seeded St. Louis Blues scored just 6 goals in the entire 4 game series, as the Kings swept the Blues 4-0. The Kings used the strong play of Quick to become the first ever team to knock off both of the top two seeds in their conference during the playoffs. En route to their 2nd Conference Finals appearance in franchise history, the Kings had won 8 of their 9 playoff games and were riding high with confidence and momentum behind the out of this world play of Jonathan Quick.

In the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Coyotes, Quick had .939 save percentage and led the Kings to their 2nd Stanley Cup Finals appearance in franchise history and their 1st since 1993 when Wayne Gretzky and crew lost to the Montreal Canadiens in 5 games. Entering the Stanley Cup Finals the Kings had an overall postseason record of 12-2.

Finally, in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Kings jumped out to a 3-0 lead and Quick allowed a total of just 2 goals in the team's first three victories. Although the Devils won the next two games, as the Kings scored just 1 goal in both Game 4 and Game 5, Quick finished out the series with a dominant performance and his hot play led the Kings to their first Stanley Cup in their 44-year franchise history.

Deservedly so, Quick won the Conn Smyte Trophy and added on to the long line of goaltenders who were awarded the playoff MVP award after they led their team to an appearance in the Stanley Cup. Quick became the 5th netminder in the past 11 postseason since 2001 (no postseason in 2005 due to the NHL lockout) to take his team to the Cup Finals and win the Conn Smyte award, showing that a hot goaltender often leads to success in the playoffs.

Kings center Colin Fraser said, "I've said to my buddies, we've got the right team, but we just have to get hot at the right time. The last six weeks of the regular season, we were in a dogfight just to get into the playoffs and we got hot at the right time. We just started rolling."

The Giants Pass Rush Will Have To Get To Matt Ryan

In 2007 when the Giants made their improbable Super Bowl run, aside from Eli Manning playing the football of his life, the one other constant for the Giants was their incredible pass rush. In the Super Bowl against the Patriots the Giants sacked Tom Brady 5 times including 2 sacks from defensive end Justin Tuck. Only the 1984 Los Angeles Raiders with 6 sacks against the Washington Redskins, the 1989 San Francisco 49ers with 6 sacks against the Cincinnati Bengals, and the 1985 Chicago Bears with 7 sacks against the New England Patriots had more sacks in a Super Bowl than the Giants in 2007. The Giants may even have a better pass rush this season and it will be essential if they want to advance to the NFC divisional round for them to get to Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan early and often.

During the regular season the Giants were tied for 3rd in the NFL in sacks with 48. All-pro defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was 4th in the NFL with 16.5 sacks, Osi Umenyiora had 9 sacks in just 9 games, and Justin Tuck had 5 sacks despite missing 4 games as well. The Giants do a terrific job of moving around their defensive ends, especially Umenyiora and Tuck, who can also slide over to the defensive tackle position.

The Giants pass rush is so important because of how much the Giants secondary has struggled this season. The Giants were hit hard by injuries with their cornerbacks this season and it was very costly. Their best cornerback Terrell Thomas tore his ACL in the preseason and had to miss the entire season and their first round draft pick Prince Amukamara missed the Giants first 9 games with a foot injury. Therefore, Big Blue really struggled against the pass, especially when their defensive line couldn't get to the quarterback and the opposing QB was able to scan the field and pick apart the Giants defense. The Giants were 29th in the NFL in pass defense, as they allowed 255 passing yards per game and they will be picked apart by the Falcons big receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones and the Falcons 8th ranked passing offense, if there is no pressure on Matt Ryan.

The Giants pass rush dictates if they walk away with a win or a loss. In the Giants 9 wins, they averaged 3.3 sacks per game including a 6 sack performance against the Cowboys in a winner-take-all NFC East game at the end of the season. In their 7 losses Big Blue averaged just over 2 sacks per game and during their 1-5 stretch in the middle of the season the G-Men averaged just over a sack per game.

However, it will not be an easy task for the Giants to get to Matt Ryan. The Falcons allowed just 26 sacks all season, which was the 2nd least in the entire NFC only behind their division rival the New Orleans Saints. Atlanta allowed just 1 sack in their final 3 regular season games against the Jaguars, Saints, and Buccaneers.

Justin Tuck added some fire to the battle in the trenches between the Falcons offensive line and the Giants defensive line with his comments about the Falcons offensive line this week.

Justin Tuck said, "We know they have that quote unquote reputation. But in a way it kind of is exciting. Most people, you know would call them dirtbags. But it is what it is. We go to make sure we do our job and if we are doing our job well, then they will be upset and they will be trying to do things to get us off our game and we got to take that as a compliment. But in the same sense you got to protect yourself and hopefully the referees have 20/20 vision this week."

The Falcons fired back later in the week though. Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey said, "We thrive on doing things right. We thrive on playing physical. We've been doing that for four years. Nothing is ever preached beyond the whistle. Ever."

Falcons right tackle Tyson Clabo said that the Falcons play "to the whistle and we're going to continue doing that. That's just kind of the way we play, that's why we've had the success we've had hers, and we're not going to stop. We're not going to hit anybody late or do anything like that, we're going to play to the whistle, you know, and if you want to call it dirty, call it dirty."

Eli Manning Proved This Season That He Is An Elite Quarterback

This offseason Eli Manning received widespread criticism for saying that he is an elite NFL quarterback. Much of the disapproval towards his comments were unjustified considering that Eli's response was the answer that any NFL quarterback would have had. 

When Eli was asked if he was an elite quarterback, he responded by saying yes. When he was asked if he was in the same class as Tom Brady, Eli said, "I consider myself in that class... I think now he's [Brady] grown up and gotten better every year and that's what I'm trying to do. I kind of hope these next seven years of my quarterback days are my best." 

Many fans were outraged that Eli considered himself in that class. However, what do you expect Eli to say when he is asked that question? He obviously is not going to say that he isn't in Tom Brady's class, showing that he has no confidence in himself. You can't expect Eli to say he isn't an elite quarterback and show that he has no belief in his ability. 

Although Eli received unfair treatment from the media because he answered the question as he should have answered it, it is understandable why people would have disagreed with Eli being an upper echelon quarterback before this season. 

Prior to 2011, Eli had never been in the top 8 in the NFL in completion percentage and he had never been in the top 10 in the NFL in passer rating. 

The biggest compliant against Eli was his turnover problems. In 2010, Eli led the NFL with 25 interceptions and only Jay Cutler in 2009 with 26 picks and Brett Favre in 2005 with 29 interceptions threw more picks in a single season than Eli since 1999. From 2009 to 2010, only Jay Cutler with 42 interceptions threw more picks than Eli, who threw 39 in that two year span. Not including his rookie season where he started just 7 games, from 2005 to 2010, Eli averaged just over 17 picks. Since 2000, only Jake Plummer in 2000 and 2002, Vinny Testaverde in 2000 and 2004, Jon Kitna in 2001, 2006, and 2007, Brett Favre in 2003, 2005, and 2008, Carson Palmer in 2007 and 2010, and Eli Manning in 2007 and 2010 have thrown 20 interceptions in more than one season.

However, Eli's career year this season has proved that he is in fact one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

First and foremost, before we look at Eli's incredible numbers this season, he led a team with a subpar defense to an NFC East championship and their first division title and playoff appearance since 2008. With injuries all over the place including defensive ends Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, linebacker Michael Boley, and cornerbacks Terrell Thomas and Prince Amukamara, the Giants defense really struggled this season. The Giants were 27th in the NFL in yards per game allowed, 29th in passing yards per game allowed, and 25th in points per game allowed. Despite having a defense that allowed 25 points per game, the worst for a team that made the postseason, Eli overcame all of the Giants deficiencies to lead them to the playoffs. If the Giants had failed to make the playoffs, it would have been their third straight season without going to the postseason and you can't be an elite quarterback if your team misses the playoffs three straight years.

The elite NFL quarterbacks play well in crutch time and in the fourth quarter when the game matters the most. 

There was no quarterback in the NFL who was better in the fourth quarter than Eli Manning. In the fourth quarter alone, Eli threw 15 touchdowns, while in the other three quarters combined he threw 19 touchdowns. His 15 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter set an NFL record passing his brother Peyton's 14 fourth quarter touchdowns in 2002 and the great Johnny Unitas's 14 fourth quarter touchdown passes as well. 

Eli's 6 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter were an NFL high and his fourth quarter heroics were highlighted in the Giants huge comeback win on the road in week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys. With Big Blue down 34-22 with 5:41 remaining, Eli threw for 122 yards to lead two touchdown drives and knock off the Cowboys 37-34. Manning said after the victory, "We've been in these situations before. It's a fun way to win."

Eli said about his fourth quarter success, "I don't ever feel pressure when I'm playing football. I know my assignments, I'm reading defense, I know my plays and I try to get the ball into my receivers' hands. It's exciting, it's fun. I'm competitive and I'm out there doing what I can to get a win."

Eli Manning had by far his best statistical season in the NFL as well.

Eli set several Giants single-season records this year. His 4,933 passing yards smashed the old Giants record for most passing yards in a season, which had previously been held by Kerry Collins when he threw for 4,073 yards in 2002 with the G-Men. Eli's 359 completions also broke his own record of 339 completions that he set the year before in 2010.

Eli was 5th in the NFL in completions, which was just the second time in his career that he was in the top ten in completions. He was also 4th in the NFL in passing yards, which is extremely impressive considering that his 4,933 yards were the 6th most in NFL history. His 92.9 passer rating was a career high as well and the first time he finished in the top ten in the category. Most importantly, Eli cut down on the turnovers as he threw 16 interceptions, which was less than Philip Rivers and Cam Newton and the same amount as Carson Palmer and Matthew Stafford.

It would be hard to argue that Eli is on the same level as Aaron Rodgers, Drew Bress, and Tom Brady (and Peyton Manning when he is healthy) but he is at the top of the next level of elite quarterbacks and being a top 5 quarterback in the NFL is nothing to be ashamed of.

Prince Amukamara Going To The New York Giants Was The Steal Of The Draft

Prince Amukamara was projected to be a top 10 to 15 pick in the NFL draft. When it came around to the Giants pick at number 19, they were happily surprised he was still available. The Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross said, "It was a shock. It was a shock. It was a shock. I know we come in and say, We picked the best player, and we were surprised. This one truly was a shock. Because you go through scenarios leading up to the draft where you kind of have realistic scenarios, somewhat unrealistic scenarios, of what could happen. And this one was just completely out of left field. We never thought this kid would have been still on the board at 19." Although the Giants weren't one of the teams coming into the draft that desperately needed help in the secondary, they couldn’t pass on a talent like Amukamara. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said about the pick, "The value of this pick, where he was ranked, there wasn't any question about the fact that this player should be on the New York Giants."

Amukamara is an NFL ready cornerback. He is quick but is also physical and strong. Prince says about himself, "I use my hands a lot with the wide receivers. And I really like to get after the ball." Marc Ross added about Prince, "He is kind of unique in that a guy with this size – and he is fast, fast – he is strong and plays with great instinct. And he has tossed the guys in the gunner on special teams clean off the field. And he is kind of unique." Tom Coughlin described Prince as "physical, he's fast, he has very good size, he's confident, which you have to be as a corner in this league. Sometimes when you look at him you say Jeez, he comes under control a little bit at the break point area. You say Wow, you better continue to give yourself a little bit of a cushion there, young man but then all of a sudden he makes a break on the ball and picks one off. He's physical. They bring him off the corner a lot. He's played in a division where there's all kind of wide open passing attacks, so you know he's defended a lot over the years."

Prince Amukamara will add to a defense that ranked 9th last season in opposing passing yards at 209.5 per game. Amukamara will join Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, and Terrell Thomas as the cover corners for the Giants. When asked if the Giants had to many cornerbacks, Tom Coughlin said, "You can never have enough cover guys because if you watch the way people play today with the addition of the receivers, they go one, two, three, four, until they figure out what you're going to cover some of these third, fourth receivers with. The more cover people you have, the better off you're going to be."

Top 10 NFL Matchups (Let's Hope We Have A Season)

1. New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers in Week 1: The last two Super Bowl Champions should provide a show on the opening night of the NFL. The Saints had a very disappointing end to their season last year when they were ousted in the NFC Wild Card Game, as they allowed 41 points to the Seahawks. They will look to sure up their defense this year when they play the defending champion Green Bay Packers. It will be one of the best quarterback matchups of the year when the two former Super Bowl MVP's, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, met up at Lambeau Field on September 8th.

2. New York Giants at Washington Redskins/ Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets in Week 1: The two cities that were directly affected by the terrorist attacks on September 11 will be hosting games on the 10th anniversary of those attacks. Giant’s spokesman Pat Hanlon said, "For nearly 10 years, we have felt an obligation to use our platform to make sure none of us ever forget the tragedy and heartbreak and courage and heroism of Sept. 11. That responsibility becomes even greater." The always shy Rex Ryan said, "That stadium is going to be full of emotion, not only the people from the area but in the entire country. [It's] The fact that it's the 10th anniversary of 9/11."

3. Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons in Week 2: The Falcons home opener will be against a very interesting opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles. Oh yes, Michael Vick will return to Atlanta for the first time as a starter. Emotions will obviously be high especially with the game being on at primetime on Sunday night. Vick had 6 very memorable seasons with the Falcons before was implicated in an illegal dog fighting ring. The Eagles open the regular season for the first time since 2002 with two road games.

4. Indianapolis Colts at New Orleans Saints in Week 7: The Sunday Night primetime game on October 23rd will feature a Super Bowl rematch from 2010 when the Saints beat the Colts 31-17. It will also feature a great quarterback battle between Drew Bress and Peyton Manning. Bress isn't the only one who sees New Orleans as special in this match up as well. Peyton's dad Archie played for the Saints and Peyton was born, grew up, and played high school football in New Orleans. The last time Peyton was playing in New Orleans against the Saints was in 2003 when the Colts beat the Saints 55 to 21 and he tied his career high throwing 6 touchdowns in one game. 

5. San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8: Many people including myself were very surprised that Norv Turner retained his job after the Chargers failed to make the playoffs and were only 9-7 with all the talent that they had in their team last year. Although they scored the second most points in the league with 441 and were in the top 10 in points allowed, they missed out on the playoffs. The Chargers will try to take back the division title from the very surprising Kansas City Chiefs, who after a 4-12 season in 2009, won the AFC West at 10-6 last year. The Monday Night Football Game will be the second meeting between the teams and will be critical in the division race.

6. Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9: Since 2002, the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Baltimore Ravens have won the AFC North 7 out of the last 9 years. They have dominated the AFC North. Whenever the Ravens and Steelers met you can always expect great defense, extremely hard-hitting, and the two teams playing to get on top of the division. Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton said, "The last few times we've played them [the Ravens] it always comes down to close games, and when you're in games like that, it's very emotional. You learn to start disliking a team even more." The Ravens will have even more incentive to knock off their rivals, as the Steelers ended their season last year in the Divisional Playoffs.

7. San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens in Week 12: Thanksgiving commemorates a feast that the pilgrims shared with their "brothers" the Native Americans. On Thanksgiving, Jim Harbaugh and his San Francisco 49ers will met his brother John Harbaugh and his Baltimore Ravens. They will become the first pair of brothers to meet as head coaches in NFL history. The game has allowed the Harabuagh family to have a little bit of fun. The brothers dad Jack Harbaugh said when asked if he was going to attend the game, “No way. And Jackie [Harbaugh, his wife] and I have talked about it, and we will not be within two time zones of that venue, I promise you. We’re going to stay as far away from that as we can. We’ve seen these two guys compete for about 47 years, so… we’ll allow other people to enjoy it with us here in Milwaukee, [where we will be] watching on television.” John Harbaugh said though, "My dad and mom said they're not going to be within three time zones of the game, but we'll get them there somehow. What we're going to do is try to get Jim over to the house, get him some turkey, get some of that tryptophan working and get him a little bit tired for later."

8. Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots in Week 13: Many people consider this game the biggest rivalry in the NFL even through the teams aren't in the same division. The Pats have won more than 10 games ever year since 2003 and the Colts have won more than 10 games every year since 2002. These two teams have been the models of consistency in the NFL and they are lead by two of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Brady and Manning have won 6 of the last 8 MVP's including the last 4. 

9. Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos in Week 14: While the Colts and Patriots rivalry has been going on for the last ten years, a new rivalry will have its first square off in Denver on December 11th. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will finally return to the scene of the crime. Before the 2009 season, Cutler requested to leave Denver saying, "Really, it's best for me to move on. "Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said after they dealt Cutler to the Bears, "Obviously, the trade went through with another team. We moved on. I'm very disappointed. I'm very disappointed." Cutler will definitely face a very hostile crowd in Denver, as emotions are still very high over his departure. 

10. Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers in Week 16: The Packers-Bears rivalry dates all the way back to 1921 and they have played each other in the regular season and playoffs a record 182 times. Jay Cutler will return to Green Bay for the first time since he had to leave the NFC Championship game with a knee injury, which he has heavily criticized over. The Week 16 game that is primetime on Christmas will certainly have a big impact on the NFC North division crown.